Crystal Palace delivered a commanding performance to claim their first-ever away win in a major European competition, defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in their UEFA Conference League opener at Arena Lublin. The result extended the Eagles' unbeaten streak to 19 games, surpassing a record set by the club in 1969.
The match began with Dynamo Kyiv's resilient defense holding strong, but Crystal Palace's persistence paid off in the 31st minute when Daniel Munoz headed in the opening goal. The strike came after a precise cross from summer signing Yeremy Pino, who made an impactful European debut by orchestrating both goals. Pino's skillful play drew comparisons to his previous club, Villarreal, as he set up Munoz with a lofted delivery to the back post.
Despite Dynamo Kyiv's efforts, Palace's dominance became evident as substitute Eddie Nketiah netted his second consecutive goal in the 58th minute. Nketiah capitalized on a quick counterattack, darting to the near post to meet Pino's precise trivela cross. The Ukrainian side, who had entered the game unbeaten in seven domestic matches, struggled to break through Palace's defense, managing only one shot on target in the final stages.
Palace's advantage was further solidified when Borna Sosa received a red card in the 76th minute after two yellow cards within three minutes. However, the dismissal had minimal effect on the outcome, as Dynamo Kyiv's depleted lineup could not threaten the visitors' lead. The match, held in Poland due to the ongoing conflict with Russia, saw Dynamo Kyiv's players enter the field wearing Ukrainian flags, underscoring the political context of the game.
Manager Oliver Glasner praised his team's focus and ambition post-match, emphasizing that the unbeaten run is a testament to their hunger for success. "I'm proud of the start, but we don't dwell on past achievements," he stated. "Our goal is to win every game, and the players are driven to keep pushing forward." The victory marks a significant milestone for Palace, who have remained undefeated since a 5-0 loss to Newcastle United in April 2024, across five competitions.
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